World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Taipei police raid on gay bar raises concern over Taiwan’s LGBT-friendly image
Taipei police raided Commander D, a gay bar in Taiwan, on 3 October and took 51 customers away for questioning over suspected public decency violations.
The bar is in Ximending, an area popular with LGBTQ+ visitors, and has operated for more than a decade.
The owner was arrested on suspicion of profiting from sexual or indecent acts, but has not been formally charged.
Videos showed officers mocking a disabled customer and preventing some patrons from getting dressed; police acknowledged that officers used inappropriate language.
Taipei’s mayor apologised, and six officers were disciplined after public criticism of the operation.
The raid has unsettled LGBTQ+ communities and raised concern that it could damage Taiwan’s image as a welcoming destination.
Rights groups are seeking an independent investigation, while the case is in the judicial process.
Police raided Commander D, a popular gay bar in Taipei, on 3 October and took 51 customers away for questioning over suspected public decency violations.
The operation drew criticism from rights groups and unsettled Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ community.
Police said the court-authorised search was not aimed at any group or sexual orientation and was intended to control the scene.
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an apologised after a public backlash, and six officers were disciplined over inappropriate remarks and supervision failures.
Rights groups are calling for an independent investigation, while some say the raid could damage Taiwan’s image as an LGBTQ+-friendly destination.
- Who
- Taipei police raided Commander D and questioned 51 customers. The bar’s owner was arrested.
- What
- Police investigated suspected breaches of public decency rules.
- When
- 3 October. The year is not stated in the article text.
- Where
- Commander D in the Ximending area of Taipei, Taiwan.
- Why
- Police acted over suspected public decency violations. The police department said it had received 13 complaints about the bar that year.
Taipei police
Rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates
Purpose of raid
Taipei police
The court-authorised search was intended to bring the scene under control and did not target any group or sexual orientation.
Rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates
Rights groups criticised the operation as heavy-handed, and advocates called for an independent investigation.
Treatment of customers
Taipei police
Police said they reviewed 41 body camera recordings and acknowledged officers had used inappropriate language.
Rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates
Rights lawyer Victoria Hsu said customers were not allowed to get dressed before going to the police station, causing sexual humiliation.
Police raided Commander D, arrested its owner and took 51 customers away for questioning.
The police department said it had received 13 complaints that year alleging public decency violations at the bar.
The bar owner accused police of using excessive force in an interview with Taiwanese media.
Rights groups filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors, according to Wanhua police division.
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an apologised and six police officers were disciplined.
- Bar
- Commander D, in Taipei’s Ximending area
- Customers
- 51 taken away for questioning
- Complaints
- 13 received by police that year
- Body camera recordings
- Police said they reviewed 41
- Disciplinary action
- Six officers disciplined
- Owner’s suspected offence
- Profiting from facilitating sexual or indecent acts; maximum sentence of five years in prison
What people are saying
I didn’t expect something like this to still happen these days. It definitely made me feel a lot less safe
There was an element of sexual humiliation
could undermine the gay-friendly image Taiwan has built